Baltimore Catechism No. 3 (of 4) eBook

Q. 1044. {290} Why do many marriages prove unhappy?
A. Many marriages prove unhappy because they are entered
into hastily and without worthy motives.

Q. 1045. When are marriages entered into hastily?
A. Marriages are entered into hastily when persons
do not sufficiently consider and investigate the character,
habits and dispositions of the one they intend to
marry. It is wise to look for lasting qualities
and solid virtues in a life-long companion and not
to be carried away with characteristics that please
only for a time.

Q. 1046. When are motives for marriage worthy?
A. Motives for marriage are worthy when persons enter
it for the sake of doing God’s will and fulfilling
the end for which He instituted the Sacrament.
Whatever is opposed to the true object of the Sacrament
and the sanctification of the husband and wife must
be an unworthy motive.

Q. 1047. {291} How should Christians prepare for a
holy and happy marriage? A. Christians should
prepare for a holy and happy marriage by receiving
the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist; by begging
God to grant them a pure intention and to direct their
choice; and by seeking the advice of their parents
and the blessing of their pastors.

Q. 1048. How may parents be guilty of great injustice
to their children in case of marriage? A. Parents
may be guilty of great injustice to their children
in case of marriage by seeking the gratification of
their own aims and desires, rather than the good of
their children, and thus for selfish and unreasonable
motives forcing their children to marry persons they
dislike or preventing them from marrying the persons
chosen by the dictates of their conscience, or compelling
them to marry when they have no vocation for such
a life or no true knowledge of its obligations.

Q. 1049. May persons receive the Sacrament of
Matrimony more than once? A. Persons may receive
the sacrament of Matrimony more than once, provided
they are certain of the death of the former husband
or wife and comply with the laws of the Church.

Q. 1050. Where and at what time of the day should
Catholics be married? A. Catholics should be
married before the altar in the Church. They
should be married in the morning, and with a Nuptial
Mass if possible.

Q. 1051. What must never be forgotten by those
who attend a marriage ceremony in the Church?
A. They who attend a marriage ceremony in the Church
must never forget the presence of the Blessed Sacrament,
and that all laughing, talking, or irreverence is
forbidden then as at other times. Women must never
enter into the presence of the Blessed Sacrament with
uncovered heads, and their dress must be in keeping
with the strict modesty that Our Lord’s presence
demands, no matter what worldly vanity or social manners
may require.

LESSON TWENTY-SEVENTH.
ON THE SACRAMENTALS.

Q. 1052. {292} What is a sacramental? A. A sacramental
is anything set apart or blessed by the Church to
excite good thoughts and to increase devotion, and
through these movements of the heart to remit venial
sin.